10 of the most epic product fails in history

By Drake Baer and Jay Yarow, Business Insider

on August 3, 2014 6:00 AM

Photo: Science & Society Picture Library

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Business Insider recently took a look at some products that completely flopped when they hit the market. Many of these items come from big companies. For a deeper look, visit Business Insider.1957 — Ford Edsel The Ford Edsel lasted three years on the market. "Even the name 'Edsel' is synonymous with 'marketing failure.' Ford invested $400 million into the car, which it introduced in 1957. But Americans literally weren't buying it, because they wanted 'smaller, more economic vehicles,' " wrote Business Insider.

Business Insider recently took a look at some products that completely flopped when they hit the market. Many of these items come from big companies. For a deeper look, visit Business Insider.
1957 — Ford

Business Insider recently took a look at some products that... Photo-6670280.90826 - Houston Chronicle

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1975 — Sony Betamax"The 1970s saw a war in home video formats between Betamax and VHS," wrote Business Insider. "Sony made a mistake: It started selling the Betamax in 1975, while its rivals started releasing VHS machines. Sony kept Betamax proprietary, meaning that the market for VHS products quickly outpaced the company." less

1975 — Sony Betamax
"The 1970s saw a war in home video formats between Betamax and VHS," wrote Business Insider. "Sony made a mistake: It started selling the Betamax in 1975, while its rivals started ... more

Photo: Los Angeles Times/Michael Edwards

1975 — Sony Betamax "The 1970s saw a war in home video... Photo-6670162.90826 - Houston Chronicle

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1985 — New CokeNew Coke was supposed to taste more like Pepsi, which was growing in popularity. "While New Coke fared OK in nationwide taste tests before launching in 1985, it turned out those were misleading," wrote Business Insider. "Coke abandoned the product after a few weeks and went back to its old formula. It also gave its product a new name: Coca-Cola Classic." less

1985 — New Coke
New Coke was supposed to taste more like Pepsi, which was growing in popularity. "While New Coke fared OK in nationwide taste tests before launching in 1985, it turned out those were ... more

Photo: AP 1985, Legacy Photo

1985 — New Coke New Coke was supposed to taste more like... Photo-6670153.90826 - Houston Chronicle

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1996 — McDonald's Arch DeluxeThe Arch Deluxe was a hamburger with a "secret" mustard and mayonnaise sauce. "It was intended to appeal to 'urban sophisticates' — outside of its target demographic," wrote Business Insider. "To reach this group McDonald's spent $100 million, which makes it one of the most expensive product flops in history." less

1996 — McDonald's Arch Deluxe
The Arch Deluxe was a hamburger with a "secret" mustard and mayonnaise sauce. "It was intended to appeal to 'urban sophisticates' — outside of its target demographic," wrote ... more

1997 — Orbitz sodaOrbitz was a fruity soda with edible balls floating in it. "Although the soda, which looks like a lava lamp, appealed to young kids, it was not tasty (people compared it to cough syrup)," wrote Business Insider. "It disappeared off shelves within a year of its 1997 debut." less

1997 — Orbitz soda
Orbitz was a fruity soda with edible balls floating in it. "Although the soda, which looks like a lava lamp, appealed to young kids, it was not tasty (people compared it to cough syrup)," ... more

Photo: "Orbitzsoda" By Own - Own Work. Licensed Under Public Domain Via Wikimedia Commons

2006 — Microsoft ZuneThe Zune took on Apple's iPod -- and failed. Business Insider cited Robbie Bach, former leader of Microsoft's home entertainment and mobile business: "We just weren't brave enough, honestly, and we ended up chasing Apple with a product that actually wasn't a bad product, but it was still a chasing product, and there wasn't a reason for somebody to say, oh, I have to go out and get that thing." less

2006 — Microsoft Zune
The Zune took on Apple's iPod -- and failed. Business Insider cited Robbie Bach, former leader of Microsoft's home entertainment and mobile business: "We just weren't brave enough, ... more

2006 — Mobile ESPNMobile ESPN had good company among "mobile virtual network operators" in the past decade, including Amp'd Mobile, Helio, and Disney Mobile. "The idea was that ESPN would exclusively sell a phone that offered exclusive ESPN content and video, leasing network access from Verizon Wireless," Business Insider wrote. "But ESPN had only one phone at launch, a Sanyo device selling for $400. No one bought it, and ESPN quickly shut down the service, instead providing content to Verizon's mobile Internet service." less

2006 — Mobile ESPN
Mobile ESPN had good company among "mobile virtual network operators" in the past decade, including Amp'd Mobile, Helio, and Disney Mobile. "The idea was that ESPN would exclusively sell a ... more

2009 — JooJooJooJoo fell to its tough competition. "In the era of a $499 Apple iPad, an inferior tablet computer that also costs $499 doesn't work," Business Insider wrote. "It came out in 2009 and was gone by 2010." less

2009 — JooJoo
JooJoo fell to its tough competition. "In the era of a $499 Apple iPad, an inferior tablet computer that also costs $499 doesn't work," Business Insider wrote. "It came out in 2009 and was gone ... more

2011 — QwiksterQwikster was especially short-lived. "In September 2011, Reed Hastings announced that Netflix would spin off Qwikster as a DVD rental business," wrote Business Insider. "This move met tons of criticism, and Hastings backtracked on his statement 23 days later." less

2011 — Qwikster
Qwikster was especially short-lived. "In September 2011, Reed Hastings announced that Netflix would spin off Qwikster as a DVD rental business," wrote Business Insider. "This move met tons of ... more